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Rebecca Flower

@rebeccaflower.bsky.social

Psychology Lecturer at La Trobe University | Researching neurodiversity inclusive workplace practices, & autism & psychology practice | Executive Editor at Autism in Adulthood | ADHDer | She/her | posts about research & academic life in regional Aus

99 Followers  |  48 Following  |  28 Posts  |  Joined: 19.11.2024  |  2.1614

Latest posts by rebeccaflower.bsky.social on Bluesky

Hi Eleanor, thanks for your interest! The article is currently free to download from the journal website for a few days.

27.06.2025 23:20 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

There is no specific starting point, and all principles involve ongoing learning, adaptation, and reflection. We hope is a springboard for understanding and operationalising the neuroaffirming movement in psychology.

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

7) Genuine acceptance and appreciation of autism: The psychologist demonstrates a genuine acceptance & nuanced understanding of neurodiversity. They take a strengths-based approach when working with Autistic clients.

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

6) Autistic informed person-centered support: The client is supported to reach their goals and is assisted in advocating for themselves.

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

5) Validation of Autistic experiences: The psychologist believes and validates the Autistic client’s experiences. The client is seem as the expert in their life.

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

4) Authenticity and humility in practice: The psychologist is self-reflective and open to learning from their clients. They are sincere, genuine, and nonjudgmental.

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

3) Finding a way to communicate: The psychologist takes the time to understand how their client communicates and works to find a shared way to communicate.

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

2) Providing safety to be one’s Autistic self: The psychologist works to provide a space where an Autistic client can feel safe to be their genuine Autistic self (physically and psychologically).

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

These are (in brief) 1) A commitment to continued learning about autism: The psychologist has a nuanced understanding of autism, and a commitment to continued learning. This includes learning from resources developed by Autistic people.

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Together with a group of 28 experts- Autistic adults and Autistic and non-autistic psychologists (many of whom co-wrote this paper), we developed 7 principles of neurodiversity affirming psychology practice

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

This term is used even more frequently now, and has been included in national guidelines in Australia. We set out to use the Delphi methodology to define neurodiversity affirming support in the context of psychologists working with Autistic adult clients in Australia.

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

When we set out to conduct the study in 2022, the term #NeurodiversityAffirming was starting to be used in the psychology profession. However, there was no consensus about what this term means.

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

New paper alert! Our collaborative study β€œDefining Neurodiversity Affirming Psychology Practice for Autistic Adults: A Delphi Study Integrating Psychologist and Client Perspectives” was recently published in @autisminadulthood.bsky.social Free until June 23!

16.06.2025 04:50 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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Co-Founder of Yes! Access, Tara Cunningham, shares why we are here and why we all need to share our stories.
#YesAccess is now officially LIVE! Visit our website to be a part of the change, one story at a time. #YesAccess #KeepItReal #WhatsYourStory.

10.05.2025 20:16 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

"together we will make our way forward with no one held back and no one left behind" - such a respectful and uplifting speech from our (just re-elected) PM Albo! #auspol

03.05.2025 12:27 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Thanks for your conference coverage - it's so helpful for those of us who couldn't attend!

02.05.2025 23:30 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks for your coverage of the panel and conference Aimee- it's so helpful for those of us who couldn't make it to INSAR this year!

02.05.2025 23:08 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Come and work with us at @autisminadulthood.bsky.social!

02.05.2025 00:06 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Image of journal cover titled 'special issue on post-secondary education'

Image of journal cover titled 'special issue on post-secondary education'

Ask us about Autism in Adulthood at #INSAR2025!

We would love to talk to you. Look out for our badges and share your views about our journal @autisminadulthood.bsky.social πŸ‘‡

01.05.2025 21:47 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Coalition of Autism Scientists critiques US Department of Health and Human Services Autism Research Initiative The newly formed Coalition of Autism Scientists (160 members and counting) today issued a statement in response to remarks and actions taken by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of the U.S. Department...

When autism researchers from all sorts of disciplines, paradigms, methodologies, politics, and worldviews agree, you know the threats to science and to autistic people have gotten way outside the bounderies of typical scientific debate.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

26.04.2025 17:37 β€” πŸ‘ 58    πŸ” 23    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 3

Check out our fantastic special issue in @autisminadulthood.bsky.social on post-secondary education!

14.04.2025 08:02 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Came across this silo art on my way to La Trobe Mildura- I love the silo art in regional Vic! The logistics and talent amaze me every time I see one up close.

28.03.2025 20:49 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Photo of large letters in front of a building spelling La Trobe. Surrounded by gum trees

Photo of large letters in front of a building spelling La Trobe. Surrounded by gum trees

It's lovely to be back on campus teaching in person classes for Semester 1! (even though the weather still feels like summer & is a bit hot for my liking)

05.03.2025 06:38 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

what a great idea!

04.02.2025 07:16 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Looking forward to reading!

28.01.2025 08:09 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Looking forward to reading!

09.01.2025 11:30 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

We're really excited to see the toolkit be published, and hope it's helpful.

04.12.2024 02:06 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

We developed the toolkit for employers in the Victorian public sector (Australia). However it can be used by anyone.

04.12.2024 02:06 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

The toolkit offers simple, practical information for employers to use as a starting point for supporting neurodivergent employees

04.12.2024 02:06 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

We worked in partnership with the Victorian Public Sector Commission to develop the toolkit. We developed it as a neurodiverse team, with contribution from a range of people with lived & professional experience (and reviewing the academic literature)

04.12.2024 02:06 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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